Multiple container



Aug. 1, 1950 c. v. JOHNSTON MULTIPLE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 11, 1944 flIINVENTOR. I M MM ATTORNE'YE Patented Aug. 1, 1950 a canine: MUD] T 'P' LE CONTAINER Clark V. Johnitem Backus. Minn minor or one hjfllf to; I -Edi! dead Nellie B Hill, copartners doingbulinescas'f. EL- Hilland Company amusements- 11, 1944, Serial no. 567,679

This invention relates to multiple or celliuar containers adaptedfor containing and marketing" measured quantities of liquids as well solids and granular or pulverized material. a

1 (c are -5e)- for the cellophane sealed multiple packages frea plurality of adjacent pockets integrally con-- structed preferably by molding or die-forming operations and having independently removable fluid-tight closure elements associated therewith.

A more specific object is the provisionof a multiple or cellular container of the class described, which lends itself particularly well to economical production and accurate filling by measuring and dispensing machines and which may be manufactured, filled and sealed very rapidly and at low cost. 1

Another object is the provision of a rnjitlple container of the class described which Ian 3 itself well to be manufactured from rather agi material, but which is reinforced by combination with a substantially rigid holder or frame which particularly lends itself to merchandising ofthe goods in the container cells. r

These and other objects and advantageslof my invention will be more apparent from the fbllowing description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a back plan view of the complete container;

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken onthe line 2-! of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front plan view of the container holder showing its simulation to a natural produce from which the ingredients to be sold, are obtained; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the container proper, detached.

In the form of my invention illustrated, the container proper is integrally constructed either by molding or die-forming suitable material such as plastic, composition or ductile metal to form a series of adjacent and preferably contiguous cells or pockets 6,. preferably but not necessarily or circular cross section and having closedinnen ends lai and open cuter ends 66; said outer ends of the several pocketsti bein integrally connected: and aligned in a common. plane and with the material? forming said pccketspreferabl constituting a marginal out-turned flange surrounding thacontalner body. This flange 1 is adapted to be utilized for attachment purposes and the material; when moldedor processed, is preferably sumciently resilient to permit flexing: of opposite sides or the flange and the whole container body, to sulllclent extent: to permit: of ready at tachment to overlying attachment elements such as the: pair of opposed lugs c utillzed in thapartitular container holder illustrated in the accom panylng drawings. i i

- The container is or such structure aswshown that it may be held and rigidly supported on a suitable met or jig for receiving material. in each oi the pocketsfrom a. suitable measuring and dispensing machine. Thereafter and. successively the container may be moved and the individual pockets'tl'iereof all sealed and closed at the outer or rear ends thereor by the insertion of a plurallty otrsmall wads or plugs in the outer ends of the respective pockets. Thesewads or lugs 9 may be: constructed or any suitablefluid-ilne pervious composition which is to some extent, compressible, to form ati'ght sealed joint between the peripheries of the plugs 9 and the inner peripheries of the pockets. A wad such as used in shot-gun shells, utilizing multi-layer materials or solid compressible materials having a very slight porosity, may be utilized and in the method of making my finished and filled package, multiple packing or wadding machines of a general nature used in filling shot-gun shells may be employed to apply the closure members 9 to the cellular pockets.

The container body may be constructed of rigid material and a label or advertising material applied over the outer end thereof, but I prefer to provide a holder shell or frame which particularly lends itself to merchandising and which further enables relatively light and ordinarily frangible material to be used for the cellular container proper. In this connection and for merchandising a number of prepared solid, granular and fluid materials, the holder shell may be moulded or otherwise constructed to resemble a natural object from which the. specific goods or principal ingredients are obtained.

Thus in the form of the invention illustrated, the holder shell I0 is constructed such as by two oppositely projecting attachment lugs 8 which may be integrally moulded or independ ently attached to the appropriate portions of the rear face of the holder shell l0.- containermayxcs In addition to disclosing a novel and commercially practicable multiple merchandising container, it will be seen that I have also disclosed a simple and commercially successful process. for. making and filling. a multiple container which consists essentially inthe steps of first. forming a cellular container having independentv adja-. cent pockets of general cup-shape with open outer ends, then successively moving the. container body so formed, to a receiving position beneath a filling machine and simultaneously filling the several pockets so formed with meas* ured quantities of material and thereaften-prefe erably simultaneously, applying closureiplugs to the outer ends of the filled pockets of themulti ple body to form fluid-tight closures for eachand all of the said pockets.

From the foregoing description, it will befseen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and attractive merchandising container vof cellular type, well adapted to withstand shipping, handling and displayand housing a number of measured quantities of both solid and liquid materials and rendering the materials in each of the pockets selectively available by ready removal of the appropriate closure plugs. i a v With my improved structure,pulverized, or solid or liquids, materials may be ,,l1oused.c and protected .from decomposition, corrosion or LoXidation and the ingredients may be kept forlon'g periods of time and the contents selectively qutie lized. J.:;.=

It will of course,.be understood that the holder shell I 0 may be eliminated if the container proper 6 is constructed of substantially rigid material. It will further be understood that the container proper may be molded or otherwise constructed of rigid material with the integral cells 6 formed therein and that in such construction or molding the back of the container proper may be given any desired ornamental configuration and shape. It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, ar-

rangement and proportions of the parts without departing, from the scope of my invention.

'What is claimed is:

, A container of the class described, comprising a'solid frame having a recess in one side thereof for accommodating'a container body, a cellular,

molded, integrallyformed container body constructed in the manner of a honeycomb With a plurality of individual, cylindrical, cup-shaped cells open at their outer ends, said body conforming in shape to the recess of said frame, said integral bod also including marginal, out-turned flanges lying fiush'with the open outer ends of said cells and adapted to overlie the recessed face of said frame-for attachment thereto and indi vidual closures for each of said pockets comprising slightlycompressible cylindrical plug members having fluid-tight connection with said pockets and being individually removable therefrom without fracture. CLARK V. JOHNSTON.

REFERENCES CEL'TED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 318349 France June 21, 1937 

